We have reached a significant milestone in the Charter Challenge for Fair Voting - we have served the government with our evidence package. This evidence supports our fight for a voting system that gives Canadians fair and equal representation in our democratic systems.

The Evidence

The evidence package includes four expert affidavits from leading researchers in political science and political theory addressing the key elements of our case:

• Prof. Nadia Urbinati (Columbia University) - the relationship between voting and political representation
• Prof. John Carey (Dartmouth College) - comparing voting systems
• Prof. Karen Bird (McMaster University) - representation of women and visible minorities
• Prof. Lawrence LeDuc (University of Toronto) - voter participation, history of proportional voting in Canada and previous reform efforts

In the next few weeks, we’ll introduce you to these experts and provide highlights from their affidavits. We will also share original analyses from Byron Weber Becker (University of Waterloo) and Antony Hodgson (Fair Voting BC). Several voters from various political perspectives have also submitted affidavits outlining how the current voting system leaves them feeling disenfranchised.

For those of you who are keen to dig in right away, we have posted the affidavits here. 

What’s Next?

The federal government will review our evidence and select their own expert witnesses. Following, both sides will have a chance to cross-examine any of the witnesses and we will have an opportunity to file any additional evidence necessary to address the government’s submission. At that point, each side will prepare its factum (the written argument we will submit to the court) and agree on a time to go to court.

Supporting the Challenge

Over 900 of you have helped us reach this major milestone – thank you! Our next stage of work - cross-examination will likely cost about $35,000, and we’ll be sharing more details about our goals and timelines in our upcoming emails. Please support our next steps by donating monthly.

As always, anyone who gives $25 or more in a year will receive a charitable donation tax receipt for their contributions.

Thank you for your continued support. More to come soon!

Jesse Hitchcock, Springtide

Antony Hodgson, Fair Voting BC